Campaign Finance National: “As Campaigns Move Online, America’s Chief Watchdog Isn’t Following” by Nancy Scola for Politico National: “Bloomberg Makes Massive $18M Transfer from Campaign to DNC” by Zach Montellaro for Politico Elections Georgia: “Loeffler Stock Trades Roil Georgia Special […]
Campaign Finance
National: “As Campaigns Move Online, America’s Chief Watchdog Isn’t Following” by Nancy Scola for Politico
National: “Bloomberg Makes Massive $18M Transfer from Campaign to DNC” by Zach Montellaro for Politico
Elections
Georgia: “Loeffler Stock Trades Roil Georgia Special Election” by James Arkin for Politico
Utah: “Former Utah Attorney General John Swallow, Ousted by Scandal, Wants His Old Post Back” by Benjamin Wood for Salt Lake Tribune
Ethics
California: “Political Fundraiser Admits to Delivering Bribes in L.A. City Hall Corruption Probe” by Joel Rubin, David Zahniser, and Laura Nelson for Los Angeles Times
New Jersey: “State Ethics Commission Recommends Removal of Paterson BOE Member Emanuel Capers Over Arizona Trip” by Jayed Rahman for Paterson Times
Lobbying
Canada: “COVID-19 Is Forcing Lobbyists to Significantly Shift Their Strategies” by Beatrice Paez and Palak Mangat for Hill Times
California: “California Lobbyists Adjust to a World Without Handshakes and Hallway Conversations” by Carla Marinucci and Jeremy White for Politico
Rhode Island State House
In response to COVID-19 concerns, the Board of Elections voted to request Gov. Gina Raimondo postpone the presidential primary from April 28 to June 2. The board also requested the June presidential primary be a substantially vote-by-mail election. On March […]
In response to COVID-19 concerns, the Board of Elections voted to request Gov. Gina Raimondo postpone the presidential primary from April 28 to June 2.
The board also requested the June presidential primary be a substantially vote-by-mail election.
On March 23, Gov. Raimondo has indicated her intent to follow the Board of Election’s recommendations and issue an executive order to reschedule the election.
Massachusetts Capitol Building
Due to Governor Baker’s Executive Order 591, declaring a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, leaders of the Legislature have rescheduled elections set for March 31. President of the Senate Karen Spilka has ordered the elections to fill the […]
Due to Governor Baker’s Executive Order 591, declaring a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, leaders of the Legislature have rescheduled elections set for March 31.
President of the Senate Karen Spilka has ordered the elections to fill the vacancies in Plymouth and Barnstable District and 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District to take place on Tuesday, May 19.
Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo has ordered the elections to fill vacancies in 37th Middlesex District and 3rd Bristol District to take place on Tuesday, June 2.
Lawmakers also enacted Senate Bill 2608.
Senate Bill 2608 will authorize any city or town with any municipal caucus or annual or special municipal election scheduled to take place between March 23 to May 30 to postpone the election if necessary.
The bill is currently awaiting the governor’s signature for approval.
Idaho Capitol Building - JSquish
The second session of the 65th Idaho Legislature has ended. The House adjourned sine die on Friday after balancing fears of spreading the coronavirus with potential vetoes of several bills representatives will now be powerless to override. If the House […]
The second session of the 65th Idaho Legislature has ended.
The House adjourned sine die on Friday after balancing fears of spreading the coronavirus with potential vetoes of several bills representatives will now be powerless to override.
If the House stayed in session, it would have given them the option of holding an override vote.
The override would be necessary if Gov. Brad Little vetoed any of the bills sent to him in the last days of the session.
The House voted 32-28 to end the legislative session a day after the Senate adjourned sine die.
During the session, lawmakers passed a bill relating to the filing of campaign finance reports and a bill relating to codifier’s corrections.
Senate Bill 1233 amends who can file reports of contributions and expenditures to include the political committee and the candidate.
The bill was an emergency and became effective January 1, 2020.
Senate Bill 1334 makes non-substantive changes to definitions relating to lobbying and contributions.
The bill becomes effective May 19, 2020.
This does affect lobbyist reporting.
The statutory requirement to file monthly reports when the Legislature is in session will end with the report due April 15.
Temporary Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
On March 24, the Canadian House of Commons will reconvene for a one-day session to vote on legislation to battle the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers are expected to allocate more than $80 billion in emergency aid for the nation. The Canadian […]
On March 24, the Canadian House of Commons will reconvene for a one-day session to vote on legislation to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers are expected to allocate more than $80 billion in emergency aid for the nation.
The Canadian Senate is then expected to meet for a one-day session on March 25 to vote on that legislation.
On March 13, the Parliament had adjourned until at least April 20 because of the emerging health crisis.
Texas Capitol Building
Gov. Greg Abbot signed an order on March 20 to delay the May primary runoff elections until July in response to the growing outbreak of COVID-19. Under the order, the May 26 primary runoff elections are now scheduled for July […]
Gov. Greg Abbot signed an order on March 20 to delay the May primary runoff elections until July in response to the growing outbreak of COVID-19.
Under the order, the May 26 primary runoff elections are now scheduled for July 14.
July 14 is also the same day as the special election for Texas Senate District 14.
Early voting will begin July 6.
Campaign Finance California: “California Fair Political Practices Commission Offers Guidance on Campaign Filing Deadlines in Wake of COVID-19” by Staff for Vallejo Times-Herald Elections National: “Bernie Sanders Is Considering Several Options as He Ponders His Campaign’s Future” by Sean Sullivan […]
Campaign Finance
California: “California Fair Political Practices Commission Offers Guidance on Campaign Filing Deadlines in Wake of COVID-19” by Staff for Vallejo Times-Herald
Elections
National: “Bernie Sanders Is Considering Several Options as He Ponders His Campaign’s Future” by Sean Sullivan (Washington Post) for MSN
Kentucky: “As Coronavirus Creates ‘Unprecedented Obstacles’ to Voting, Kentucky GOP Takes Step to Add Another: Voter ID” by Isaac Stanley-Becker for Washington Post
Ethics
National: “Burr Asks Senate Ethics Committee for Review of His Stock Sales” by John Wagner, Michelle Ye Hee Lee, John Swain, and Karoun Demirjian (Washington Post) for Seattle Times
Maryland: “Baltimore Comptroller Pratt Repeatedly Voted to Approve Spending for Groups on ‘Abstentions List,’ Report Finds” by Talia Richman for Baltimore Sun
New Jersey: “Sparta BOE in Flap Over Promotion of Member’s Son” by Eric Obernauer for New Jersey Herald
Lobbying
Michigan: “Ballot Drive to Change Michigan Lobbying Laws Suspended Due to Coronavirus Pandemic” by Lauren Gibbon for MLive.com
Sacramento, CA Skyline - Basil D Soufi
In light of the statewide shelter-in-place order, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) understands the unique and extraordinary situation caused by the united efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The FPPC recognizes offices around the state are closed and […]
In light of the statewide shelter-in-place order, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) understands the unique and extraordinary situation caused by the united efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The FPPC recognizes offices around the state are closed and the stay at home directive makes the filing of campaign statements and reports difficult.
An advisory has been issued encouraging candidates and committees to continue to make best efforts to timely disclose campaign activity to the public.
State and local candidates are encouraged to make use of electronic filing options, if available.
All candidates and committees filing campaign statements and reports with the Office of the Secretary or State may use the online filing system.
Local candidates and committees should contact their local filing officers to determine if electronic filing is available in their jurisdiction.
If a candidate or committee makes best efforts to comply with the Political Reform Act’s campaign finance disclosure rules but is unable to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FPPC will consider this a strong mitigating factor in determining whether an enforcement action against the candidate or committee is appropriate.
Indiana State Capitol - By Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA
Gov. Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-07 today, postponing the May 5 presidential and state primary elections to June 2. The governors order is due to the state of emergency he declared on March 6 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-07 today, postponing the May 5 presidential and state primary elections to June 2.
The governors order is due to the state of emergency he declared on March 6 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Illinois State Capitol Building
Illinois Lawmakers canceled a second week of legislative sessions to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. The General Assembly was scheduled to come back to Springfield on March 24. The deadline for House bills to move out of committee, […]
Illinois Lawmakers canceled a second week of legislative sessions to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The General Assembly was scheduled to come back to Springfield on March 24.
The deadline for House bills to move out of committee, March 27, has been extended to April 3.
Members may end up meeting during the scheduled spring break period, April 6-17.
The deadline to move bills out of Senate committee is still set for March 27.
The Illinois Constitution requires lawmakers pass a budget before they adjourn on May 31.
Under the Illinois Constitution and state law, the General Assembly cannot hold remote sessions.
Arkansas State Capitol
The House and Senate went into overdrive March 19 to complete deals on a new state budget and an updated 10-year highway program before vacating the Capitol until late April. Lawmakers agreed to set aside $50 million for unforeseen expenditures […]
The House and Senate went into overdrive March 19 to complete deals on a new state budget and an updated 10-year highway program before vacating the Capitol until late April.
Lawmakers agreed to set aside $50 million for unforeseen expenditures during the COVID-19 crisis.
Another $15 million was allocated for emergency preparedness operations tied to the virus.
Additionally, the House and Senate voted to send a comprehensive transportation bill of $9.7 billion to Gov. Laura Kelly.
This decadelong program for roads, bridges, railways, and airports would make a top priority of highway system preservation projects.
The Legislature is scheduled to return April 27 to adjust the state budget and take up other unfinished work on bills.
However, there is no guarantee the pandemic would allow the 165 legislators to congregate.
The Hawaii State Ethics Commission will hold a special meeting on Friday, March 27, in response to COVID-19. Currently, lobbyist and employer activity reports are due on Tuesday, March 31, for the period of January 1 to February 29. Additionally, […]
The Hawaii State Ethics Commission will hold a special meeting on Friday, March 27, in response to COVID-19.
Currently, lobbyist and employer activity reports are due on Tuesday, March 31, for the period of January 1 to February 29.
Additionally, Commission members will consider issuing an order to extend the deadline to April 30.
Missouri Capitol Building
Gov. Mike Parson issued Executive Order 20-03, postponing the April 7 municipal elections to June 2. The order comes after the state of emergency he declared on March 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The deadline to apply for an […]
Gov. Mike Parson issued Executive Order 20-03, postponing the April 7 municipal elections to June 2.
The order comes after the state of emergency he declared on March 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is May 20, while in-person absentee ballots may be cast until 5 p.m. on June 1.
Idaho Capitol Building - JSquish
The Idaho Senate adjourned sine die Thursday night. However, the House voted to meet again Friday morning despite recommendations to practice social distancing amid COVID-19 concerns. Coronavirus has been looming over the last week of the session, causing Gov. Brad […]
The Idaho Senate adjourned sine die Thursday night.
However, the House voted to meet again Friday morning despite recommendations to practice social distancing amid COVID-19 concerns.
Coronavirus has been looming over the last week of the session, causing Gov. Brad Little to be dealing with the increase in cases.
If the House stays in session for three days, it will force the Senate to return to town.
If the House adjourns on Friday, at 75 days, it will be tied for the fourth shortest session in the past 20 years.
